29 September 2015
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Director General Joel Villanueva said the only way to go on the K to 12 curriculum was forward, rallying stakeholders during the 3rd CaLaBaRZon TVET Congress to support the education reform.
“All resources and forces that the Aquino administration could muster are geared towards this education system that is key to human development and long-lasting progress,” he said.
“There is no turning back now because doing so would be detrimental to the future of the youth,” Villanueva added.
The K to 12 curriculum, workforce requirements in the international market, and the evaluation system of TVET (technical vocational education and training) were the focus of the congress for the Region 4A or CaLaBaRZon area (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon).
The September 29 gathering at Club Manila East in Taytay, Rizal was attended by around 600 participants from public and private technical vocational institutions, non-government organizations, local government executives and industry representatives.
With the theme, “Raising the Bar in the TVET Sector for 21st Century Learners,” the gathering highlighted the importance and effectiveness of TVET and generated information on industry prospects, opportunities and implications that would ensure the delivery of quality TVET.
The congress also served as venue for regional dialogue among the key players in the TVET sector on the latest development and policy decisions that have direct impact on the delivery of TVET in the region.
The congress was organized by TESDA-Region 4A, led by its regional director, Luisita S. dela Cruz, and the Regional Technical Vocational Educators Association headed by its president, Antonio M. del Carmen.
Villanueva said the K to 12 curriculum placed a spotlight on TVET as one of the main tracks that students may choose to take.
“Countries need to put a premium on tech-voc education and give its place among the mainstream education to ensure that the youth are equipped with skills that will make them employable for the present and future job markets,” he said.
Under the K to 12, all students must go through kindergarten, six years of primary education, four years of junior high school, and two years of senior high school.
The students can choose from the four tracks when they reach senior high school: academic, sports, arts and design and technical-vocational-livelihood.
Among the topics of discussions during the congress were: Gearing TVET for K to 12 by RD Diosdado M. San Antonio of DepEd IV-A; Workforce Requirements in International Market by Director Levinson C. Alcantara of POEA; Readiness of the Industry for K to 12 by Alberto Fenix of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry ; Philippine Qualifications Framework by TESDA Executive Director Elmer K. Talavera; and, Star Rating Evaluation System of TVET Programs by TESDA Certification Office executive director Susan P. dela Rama.
Local officials also graced the event, headed by Rizal Governor Rebecca Ynares represented by her administrator and Taytay Mayor Janet De Leon Mercado.
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